JAMMU: Delegation of Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCI) on Monday called on All-Party Delegation (APD) led by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and submitted a memorandum urging political parties to help restore normalcy in the trouble-torn Jammu and Kashmir which is passing through a bad-phase for the last several days.
Hailing the efforts initiated by the central dispensation in restoring peace, CCI said that present unrest in Valley is due to the non-deliverance of political outfits in the last many decades. Citing dubious role of various parties, CCI urged stakeholders not to add fuel to fire by spiteful utterances and hate-mongering. Applauding the role of security forces in maintaining maximum restrain while dealing with misguided lot in valley, CCI expressed anguish over section of political parties for not endorsing security forces’ sturdy spirit and shirking in condemning the ongoing onslaught against real saviours of the nation.
Alleging that certain political outfits are trying to worsen the situation to satiate their vested interests, CCI even condemned State BJP functionaries including State President Sat Sharma and General Secretary Narinder Singh for maligning the reputation of chamber at a press conference held on 19th August 2016 by stating that traders’ body is working against the interests of the State.
The CCI also condemned senior Congress leader Dr Karan Singh, who recently sought imposition of Governor’s rule in J and K, for neglecting the State.
Other issues highlighted in the memorandum include misuse of Article 370, corruption galore, lawlessness in the State with trouble-mongers attacking security forces, anti-India slogans being raised brazenly on public address system, dearth of security-men which has led to increase in mob attacks inflicting injuries to jawans, colossal losses incurred by the trade and industry fraternity in J and K due to deteriorating situation with working of banks, postal department and other financial institutions coming to a halt, and absence of essential services.
The memorandum further stated that during this hour of crisis it is expected that Central and State Governments should come forward to the rescue of the trade and industry before it gets totally crippled. In this regard, CCI sought shifting of camp secretariat in Jammu to restore functioning of State affairs as work in Kashmir Secretariat has been simply stalled due to unrest, package of financial assistance to compensate losses of trade and industrial sector of Jammu Division during Kashmir agitation, waiver of bank interest on Term Loans, Commercial Vehicles Loans and Cash Credit facilities for the months between July and September 2016, no account should be declared NPA during this period till the economy is revived, soft loans should be provided to all if needed and power bills for the period be exempted or adjusted, besides no pressure of IDS scheme be imposed upon people of Jammu to achieve the fixed targets given by Central Government, annual targets given to State for Income Tax collections should be proportionate among three regions as per collections and contribution made by each region and no such burden for achieving the targets be imposed on Jammu region at any cost, incentives already available from Central and State Governments to be continued in GST Regime, Income Tax exemption be extended to all working units, freight subsidy for sale of finished goods up to Delhi should be allowed for Industrial Units as well as Trade Sector,
Mother Industry such as Rail Coach Factory may be sanctioned for Jammu Region to encourage ancillarisation of major units and create new jobs, opening of Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Jammu with rail connectivity, upgradation of Jammu Airport to international status, starting of Shatabdi Express up to Delhi and Chandigarh and Metro/ Monorail in Jammu, freight subsidy from ICD to port for Import/Export of commodities, exemption of Import Duty on Raw Materials purchased by SMEs, Special Additional Duty draw back on exports by J and K Industrial units, waiver of Export Obligation under EPCG scheme for Existing/ New IPs, Barter System of LoC Trade be immediately replaced by banking system to avoid illegal transactions/ unhealthy competition and review of list of items depending on demand and supply with EC codes, advance Income Tax deposit date for second installment be extended by three months in the State, date for filing of audited Income Tax returns on 30th September should be extended up to March 2017 and compensations already agreed upon by the then State Government during 2008 turmoil for the trade and industry should be implemented immediately as Jammu region cannot suffer more burden.